System for providing camera views

ABSTRACT

A camera system having at least one self-contained, universally mountable camera module having a housing and a plurality of cameras disposed within the confines of the housing, each camera having a predetermined field of view to the exterior of the housing that when combined provide at least a 180 degree view about the housing. The system also includes communication elements within the housing to provide electrical communication between the plurality of cameras and a position external to the module and at least one receiver that receives the camera views from the module that is operable by a user to view one or more camera views at a time as individual views as well as a composite view of at least two or more camera views.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/626,990,entitled “SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CAMERA VIEWS,” filed on Nov. 30, 2009,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is related to U.S Patent Application entitled“Miniature Camera Module” and U.S. Patent Application entitled “Methodof Providing Camera Views about an Object or Area”, both of which areassigned to the same assignee as the assignee herein, filed concurrentlyherewith and herby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems for providing cameraviews and more particularly to camera systems having camera modules thatprovide camera views to locations remote from the modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A camera system having at least one self-contained, universallymountable camera module having a housing and a plurality of camerasdisposed within the confines of the housing, each camera having apredetermined field of view to the exterior of the housing that whencombined provide at least a 180 degree view about the housing. Thesystem also includes communication elements within the housing toprovide electrical communication between the plurality of cameras and aposition external to the module and at least one receiver that receivesthe camera views from the module that is operable by a user to view oneor more camera views at a time as individual views as well as acomposite view of at least two or more camera views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description will be better understood when readin conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there is shown oneor more of the multiple embodiments of the present disclosure. It shouldbe understood, however, that the various embodiments of the presentdisclosure are not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1. is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a cameramodule that may be utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 2. is a front plan view illustrating the camera module of FIG. 1attached to an unmanned vehicle, such as a robot;

FIG. 3. is a perspective view illustrating one or more of the cameramodules of FIG. 1 attached to another type of unmanned vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a is a perspective view of a head mounted display illustratingmultiple camera modules of FIG. 1 secured thereto;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera module of thepresent invention substantially taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of one embodiment of the system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7. is a perspective view illustrating the camera module of thepresent invention utilized with multiple vehicles; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating multiple camera modules of thepresent invention utilized with a head mounted display worn by a user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described in detail with reference toembodiments that represent examples of the present invention and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention. Although specific elementsand configurations are described to provide an understanding of theinvention, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments,elements and configurations provided are for illustrative purposes only.Other configurations will be recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art without departing from the teachings of the present invention orthe scope of the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the camera module of the presentinvention is generally illustrated by reference numeral 10. The module10 is illustrated having a generally hemispherical shape, although thesize and shape may vary, and may be a miniature module or the like as isillustrated in FIG. 1 with respect to a United States quarter dollar 12.

Although not illustrated, the module 10 may also be in the form of ahemispheroid, either oblate (earth shaped) or prolate (rugby footballshaped), or in the form of a plurality of substantially flat or obliquesurfaces joined together to form similar types of shapes. Although themodule 10 preferably is formed as an oblique object, it is to beunderstood that the module 10 can have a variety of shapes and sizeswithout departing from the teachings of the present invention or theappended claims.

The unique shape and size of the module 10 itself enables a number ofnovel features to be realized by the present invention. These features,among others, include overlapping fields of view for multipleredundancy, a direct camera view for virtually every direction,unobtrusive and inconspicuous operation to resist or eliminate beingblocked, detected and/or disabled, and substantially oblique surfacesthat, combined with the material of the module 10, can resistdisablement from a foreign object or the like as will be described inmore detail herein.

The module 10 substantially includes a hemispherical housing 14 having aplurality of apertures 16 therethrough and a substantially flat surface18 for mounting of the module 10 against a desired article (generallyillustrated in FIGS. 2-4). The module 10 also includes a plurality ofcameras 20, each camera 20 being preferably secured within the confinesof the housing 14 so that a lens 22 of each camera 20 provides a desiredfield of view through a respective aperture 16. Although the module 10is illustrated with seven cameras 20, the number of cameras 20 and theirposition with respect to the housing 14, the fields of view and thelenses provided, among other features, may vary.

The housing 14 is designed as a substantially hollow, hemisphericalmember with a desired thickness and can be formed from any desiredmaterial such as plastic or metal (including steel or titanium, forexample) or the like as well as a variety of composite materials,including any type of bullet resistant or bullet proof materials such asKevlar, Lexan or the like so long as the module 10 functions as desired.The housing 14 may also be used in outdoor environments by making itwater resistant or waterproof by making it completely sealed against theenvironment and may be protected by any type of desired armor. It is tobe understood, however, that the material of the housing 14, or anyother elements or features of the housing 14, may vary without departingfrom the teachings of the present invention or the appended claims.

If desired, the module 10 may be designed to be completelyself-contained with all electronics included inside the housing 14 suchas microprocessor(s), data storage, power and external communicationssuch as by any wireless method including Bluetooth, for example. Withsuch a design, all processing of the videos from the various cameras 20can be accomplished by the module 10 itself, including stitchingtogether all the various views of the cameras 20 into one data stream tobe stored within, or transmitted to the exterior of, the module 10.

Although the flat surface 18 of the housing 14 is not illustrated indetail, the flat surface 18 may allow for access to the interior of thehousing 14 for mounting or replacement of the cameras 20 therein such asby the use of an openable or removable plate, door or the like or anyother type of access. The housing 14 may also include a mountingstructure or element (not illustrated) either as part of the flatsurface 18 or any other part of the housing 14 including, but notlimited to, such mounting methods as screws, brackets, clips, adhesives,and hook-and-loop fasteners, for example.

The apertures 16 of the housing 14 may be through-apertures having thesame diameter through the housing 14, may be tapered or take on anyother desired size, shape or configuration. Alternatively, the apertures16 may be replaced with pockets (not illustrated) formed in the housing14 to accept the cameras 20 therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the module 10 mounted to anunmanned vehicle such as a robot 24 or the like where the module 10 andcameras 20 can be used in a “visual odometry” type of application wherethe position, operation and/or orientation of the robot 24 is determinedby analyzing images from one or more cameras 20. If desired, multiplemodules 10 (not illustrated) may also be used with the robot 24 toprovide multiple views from a variety of positions about the robot 24.

As FIG. 3 illustrates, one or more modules 10 may also be mounted to anunmanned transport vehicle 26 intended for transporting items or thelike. When the transport vehicle 26 is in the form of a substantiallyrectangular object as illustrated, the views of the modules 10 enablemultiple overlap between modules 10 as described below with regard toFIG. 5.

As FIG. 4 illustrates, one or more modules 10 may also be used inconjunction with a head mounted display 28 illustrated in the form of ahelmet. It is to be understood, however, that the number and position ofmodules 10 utilized at any time can vary and the module 10 may beutilized in a variety of applications other than those illustrated.

The use of a module 10 along with multiple cameras 20 and/or multiplemodules 10 and the design and shape of the modules 10 themselvesrepresents a dramatic shift away from current remote camera design andapplication. For example, by providing multiple cameras 20 in a module10 arranged according to the teachings of the present invention a newlevel of redundancy in camera views is achieved in the event of amalfunction of one or more of the cameras 20 as will be describedfurther below. Intentional or unintentional disablement of the module 10can also be more difficult since, due to the overlapping views, eachcamera 20 in each module 10 must be disabled to prevent a desired viewand access to each camera 20 or module 10 may be difficult or too timeconsuming, for example.

By using multiple modules 10, an additional level of redundancy incamera views can be provided according to the teachings of the presentinvention by providing multiple sets of cameras 20 in multiple, separatelocations selected to provide a heightened level of view redundancy oroverlap. This not only can be beneficial in the event of the malfunctionor disablement of one or more cameras 20, but in the malfunction ordisablement of one or more modules 10.

With reference to FIG. 5, when multiple modules 10 are used on arectangular object such as the transport vehicle 26 significant portionsabout the transport vehicle 26 are covered by two modules 10. In thisembodiment, coverage by two modules 10 is illustrated by the four singlelined sections 48 while coverage by just one module 10 is illustrated bythe four unlined sections 50. Of course, for each module 10 sevencameras 20 provide the desired hemispherical view with overlappingfields of view as described above.

With multiple modules 10, intentional or unintentional disablement ofone or more modules 10 is more difficult or unlikely. This isparticularly important when the modules 10 are used in a securitysurveillance setting or in conjunction with a robot or other type ofunmanned vehicle or craft and even more so in a combat environment.Specifically, when used in a robot or the like, when the camera viewingsystem is inoperable or disabled the robot is unable to function and ifremotely controlled the user is unable to continue to “see” where therobot is and/or needs to be moved.

When used in a hostile environment, such as a surveillance setting orcombat zone, an entity who may be interested in disabling the robot canmerely take measures to attempt to disable a the camera 20, such as witha projectile, cover, spray paint, implement or other member. Withmultiple modules 10, while an entity may disable one or more modules 10the operator may still be able to utilize an existing module 10 notdiscovered or disabled by an entity to move the robot out of the area.

The design of the module 10 itself also adds to the ability of anoperator to maintain control over a robot. The small size of the module10 provides an extremely low profile making the module 10 unobtrusiveand relatively inconspicuous compared to existing modules. If desired,the module 10 can also be camouflaged to blend in with a particularbackground as illustrated in FIG. 1 to make it even more difficult tospot and potentially disable.

The hemispherical, hemispheroid or other oblique design of the module 10aids in preventing disabling the module 10 by providing oblique surfacesthat may deflect a projectile or implement. This shape also makesbreaking off of the module 10 from a surface it is attached to moredifficult, particularly if some type of security resistant mounting isemployed. When the oblique surfaces of the module 10 are combined withthe module 10 being formed from a strong material, such as metal or abullet resistant or bullet proof material or the like, disabling of themodule 10 from a projectile or implement is less likely.

As readily can be understood from FIG. 1, due to the positioning of thecameras 20 about the module 10, when the video of each camera 20 iscombined a hemispherical, panoramic or “panospheric” view (hereinafter“view” or “hemispherical view”) about the module 10 is provided. Theview may extend up to at least 180 degrees in any direction about theperiphery of the module 10 but may vary depending on the types ofcameras 20 and lenses 22 utilized and the positions about the housing14.

When multiple modules 10 are used, such as shown with the head mounteddisplay 28 of FIG. 4, for example, the view about the periphery of thedisplay 28 extends well beyond 180 degrees. Although four modules 10 areillustrated, any number of modules 10 can be positioned on the robot 24or transport vehicle 26 so that a full 360 degree view is provided aboutthe robot 24 or transport vehicle 26.

The cameras 20 can be any type of camera, video or still, so long asthey function as desired, including, but not limited to cameras having amicro lens, miniature and subminiature cameras, fiber optic cameras, CCDcameras, active pixel or CMOS image sensors, or the like includingfuture camera types and styles. Additionally, various software requiredto “stitch” the various views together is readily available or can beindependently developed to fit the particular application.

Preferably, the cameras 20 are not high level resolution cameras,rather, lower resolution cameras 20 are utilized the resolution of whichdepends on the particular application. In many applications, the qualityof the image being captured is not necessarily an important criteria,rather, capturing a desired image with an acceptable level of quality isall that is necessary.

The use of a plurality of lower resolution cameras 20 represents animportant shift in the art that enables the desired views in a moreeconomical package to enable applications that previously were costprohibitive. The cost of modules 10 with lower resolution cameras 20 canbe low enough to enable modules 10 to be disposable if desired.

A variety of electronics and power supply (not illustrated) may be usedalong with the cameras 20 to provide the desired view. The electronicsand power supply may be contained within the confines of the housing 14or outside the housing 14 such as within a portion of the robot 24,transport vehicle 26, or head mounted display 28 or in a separate unitutilized in conjunction with the robot 24, transport vehicle 26 or headmounted display 28. The electronics may be hard wired to the cameras 20and other peripheral devices or be connected wirelessly, if desired.

The module 10 preferably is designed as a self-contained readilyreplaceable unit to assist in initial mounting and subsequent repair bymerely replacing the module 10. In this respect, the module 10 can beused substantially as an interchangeable platform for use with multiplevehicles or other objects as is more frequently being requested inmilitary or other operations to reduce costs incurred from the use ofmultiple platforms.

Additionally, a minimal amount of electronics may be included with thecameras 20 or within the housing 20 for wireless communication with avariety of external peripheral devices. Such devices may include, forexample, remote displays, microprocessor controlled devices, varioususer input/output devices or the like. External viewing can be acomposite view of all of the cameras 20, the view of any individualcamera 20 or any combination of two or more video cameras 20 if desired.

In one preferred embodiment, the view provided by the cameras 20 may befed to an operator or other individual or individuals at a locationproximate to or remote from the module(s) 10. This view can, forexample, be used to manipulate the robot 24 or transport vehicle 26about various terrain and environments or to accomplish various tasks.It is to be understood that to manipulate the robot 24 or transportvehicle 26 discrete electronic and power systems separate from theelectronics of the module 10 may be employed.

Additionally, the head mounted display 28 of FIG. 4 may be used by awearer to provide a full view about the viewer to both the viewer aswell as one or more individuals at remote locations. Although the headmounted display 28 is illustrated with four modules 10 positioned on thefront, rear and two sides respectively, it is to be understood that thenumber and position of the modules 10 can vary.

One of the many important features of the module 10 is the ability tosimultaneously capture and display all data with regard to all views ofeach camera 20 in real time or substantially real time. This enablesviewers at remote locations to choose one or more cameras 20 to selectthe view or composite view they are interested in viewing regardless ofthe direction the wearer is facing. This may enable the remote viewersto draw the attention of the wearer to another direction that may be ofinterest to them or to watch one or more directions for the safety ofthe wearer, such as in a military, police or similar applications.

Additionally, since various camera views from multiple cameras 20 aresimultaneously captured or “pre-loaded”, delays in changing views withthe head mounted display 28 upon turning of the wearer's head or turningof the robot 24 or transport vehicle 26 is reduced or eliminated. Whenusing a single camera rather than multiple cameras 20 as in the presentinvention there will be a lag or delay in views when the camera is movedwhich is undesirable and perhaps dangerous in certain applications.

Similarly, when multiple modules 10 are utilized providing various viewsfrom multiple cameras 20 from each module 10, the various camera viewsfrom multiple cameras 20 are simultaneously captured or “pre-loaded” toeliminate delays in views. This is an important feature for not only thehead mounted display 28 but also the robot 24 and transport vehicle 26.

For example, with a head mounted display 28 if only one module 10 isused the views provided by the multiple cameras 20 is more of apanoramic or “panospheric” view that extends in a hemisphericaldirection substantially in the direction the module is facing. As thewearer turns his/her head say to the left, the view that previously wason the left periphery of the wearer now becomes the front view withrespect to the wearer. At the same time, a new left periphery view isprovided to the wearer or remote viewer.

When using multiple modules 10, the wearer is always provided with aclear view of the direction he/she is facing. It also enables a wearerto more quickly move his/her head back and forth without losing the viewof the direction he/she is facing.

Another important feature of the module 10 is the ability to enable moreplacement positions with respect to an object, such as the robot 24 ortransport vehicle 26. This is not only due to the substantially smallsize of the module 10 but due to the use of multiple modules 10 thatbreak up the 360 degree view into several hemispherical views that mayoverlap each other to provide redundant or overlapping views. Typically,in existing applications if single or multiple cameras are provided in acentral location (not illustrated) for fixed position or rotation toprovide a wide view up to 360 degrees, that view readily can be blockedduring operation of the robot 24 or transport vehicle 26 by componentsof the robot 24 or transport vehicle 26.

The relatively small sizes capable of the module 10 enable moreplacement positions on an object to provide increased number of views orplacement where a camera system typically may not fit. Additionally, dueto the small size of the module 10 it can be placed closer to an objector surface to reduce the size of any potential blind spot that may occurnear the object or surface itself.

When multiple modules 10 are used with a robot 24 or other unmannedtransport vehicle 26 since the robot 24 or vehicle 26 can typically movein multiple directions, when one module 10 is broken or disabled therobot 24 or vehicle 26 can still function. In this situation, anoperator can merely switch views to another module or modules 10 andmerely direct the robot 24 or vehicle 26 to move in another directionwhile the operator can still manipulate the robot 24 or vehicle 26 asdesired.

Another embodiment of the invention of the present disclosure isillustrated in FIG. 6 where a system is generally illustratedimplementing the modules 10 of the present invention. Typically, themodules 10, shown here with the transport vehicle 26, transmit one ormore composite video signals or a plurality of video signals, one eachfor each camera view, to a remote location generally illustrated by thereference numeral 60.

The remote location 60 can be any desired distance and the modules 10can communicate directly with the location 60, as illustrated by dashedlines 62, or indirectly as illustrated by dashed lines 64 via groundbased transmission systems 66 or even by one or more satellites 68.Although a wireless type of transmission system is illustrated in FIG.6, it is to be noted that any type of transmission system, wired orwireless, can be employed without departing from the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the modules 10 utilized along with a robot 24 in amilitary application. In this embodiment, the robot 24 is removeablysecured to a military vehicle 70. It is to be understood, however, thatthe vehicle 70 as well as the robot 24 associated with the vehicle 70can vary, and the vehicle 70 can be a manned or unmanned vehicle (suchas a “drone”) or an aerial vehicle such as a helicopter or airplane, forexample, if desired.

In this type of application the vehicle 70 serves to transport the robot24 from one area to another for deployment of the robot 24 where needed.This helps conserve the power on the robot 24, among other advantages.

The robot 24 may be connected to the vehicle 70 both mechanically andelectronically to maintain the robot 24 attached to the vehicle 70 tillneeded along with providing communication signals from the robot 24 to aposition on the vehicle 70 if desired. The communication signals can beforwarded directly by the robot 24 to a remote location 60 or from thevehicle 70 to a remote location 60, with or without amplification orother processing, or can be received on the vehicle 70 by an operator tocontrol the robot 24.

While secured to the vehicle 70 if the robot 24 has any batteries or anyother type of power source that needs recharging or refilling suchrecharging or refilling can be accomplished during that time. This willenable the robot 24 to be ready for deployment when the vehicle 70reaches the area when the assistance of the robot 24 is needed.

It is to be noted that the robot 24 may attach and detach itself fromthe vehicle 70 without the need for any other type of human or machineto assist. For example, when the robot 24 generally illustrated in FIG.2 is utilized the robot 24 is capable of being manipulated to disengageitself from the vehicle 70 by an operator or even autonomously ifdesired due to the unique design of the robot 24 and engagementmechanism with the vehicle 70. It is to be understood, however, that avariety of different types of robots or other devices other than therobot 24 can be utilized in this manner with the vehicle 70.

FIG. 8 illustrates another use of the system of the present inventionwhere the head mounted display 28 of FIG. 4 is shown attached to a usersuch as a soldier 72. This so called “soldier of the future” can beprovided with 360 degree views about his position to dramaticallyincrease his situational awareness as well as provide assistance to thesolider 72 in a hostile environment by a user of the system remote fromthe solder 72 as described above. If desired, the cameras 20 may also becapable of low light or night vision, such as an infrared or other typeof camera without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented with anycombination of hardware and software. If implemented as acomputer-implemented apparatus, the embodiments of the presentdisclosure are implemented using means for performing all of the stepsand functions described above.

The embodiments of the present disclosure can be included in an articleof manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, forinstance, computer useable media. The media has embodied therein, forexample, computer readable program code means for providing andfacilitating the mechanisms of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The article of manufacture can be included as part of acomputer system or sold separately.

Although the description above contains many specific examples, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments of thepresent disclosure but as merely providing illustrations of some of thepresently preferred embodiments of this disclosure. Thus, the scope ofthe embodiments of the disclosure should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisdisclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, butit is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure.

I claim:
 1. A camera apparatus, comprising: a receptacle configured witha peripheral wall and a plurality of apertures, the peripheral wallhaving a generally hemispherical exterior surface, each of the aperturesextending through the peripheral wall to the generally hemisphericalexterior surface, and the apertures including a central aperture and aplurality of peripheral apertures arranged in an annular array anddisposed circumferentially around the central aperture; a plurality ofcameras secured with the receptacle, each of the cameras including alens positioned to have a respective field of view to an exterior of thereceptacle, the cameras including a central camera and a plurality ofperipheral cameras, the lens of the central camera is arranged with thecentral aperture, and the lens of each of the peripheral cameras isarranged with a respective one of the peripheral apertures, whereinimage data provided by the cameras is combinable to provide apanospheric field of view that includes at least a portion of the fieldof view associated with each of the cameras; and a plurality ofelectrical communication elements within the receptacle, the electricalcommunication elements configured to provide direct signal communicationbetween each of the cameras and another device exterior of thereceptacle to at least enable redundancy between the various viewsprovided by the cameras.
 2. The camera apparatus of claim 1, wherein thereceptacle has at least one planar surface opposite the generallyhemispherical exterior surface for mounting of the apparatus against asurface of another device.
 3. The camera apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a processing device configured to combine the image dataprovided by the cameras to provide one composite data stream that is tobe transmitted to the other device exterior of the receptacle, whereinthe processing device is within the receptacle.
 4. The camera apparatusof claim 1, wherein the plurality of peripheral apertures comprise sixperipheral apertures, and wherein the plurality of peripheral camerascomprise six peripheral cameras.
 5. The camera apparatus of claim 1,wherein the peripheral cameras comprise a first pair of peripheralcameras and a second pair of peripheral cameras, the first pair of theperipheral cameras are aligned with the central camera along a firstplane, the second pair of the peripheral cameras are aligned with thecentral camera along a second plane, and the first plane and the secondplane are angularly offset from one another and coincident at thecentral camera.
 6. The camera apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens ofeach of the cameras is positioned within a respective one of theapertures and recessed from the generally hemispherical exteriorsurface.